In forceFire & Building Safety
Approved Document B: Fire safety
Means of escape, fire spread, access and facilities
The statutory guidance for fire safety in dwellings and buildings other than dwellings, now including second staircases and evacuation lift provisions for taller residential buildings.
Also known as: AD B, Approved Document B, ADB, second staircases
Key requirements
- From 30 September 2026, new blocks of flats with a storey 18m or more should have more than one common stair.
- New design provisions support the use of evacuation lifts in blocks of flats.
- Guidance now provides for sprinklers in new care homes, and national fire test classes are withdrawn in favour of BS EN 13501.
- Two volumes: Volume 1 for dwellings and Volume 2 for buildings other than dwellings.
- Transitional arrangements apply where a building notice, initial notice or full plans application is already with building control.
Performance at a glance
- Second stair trigger
- Storey 18m or more
- Evacuation lifts
- Design provisions introduced
- Fire classification
- BS EN 13501
Applies to
Building work in England covered by Part B, including new residential buildings and buildings other than dwellings.
Related records
Reviewed 25 October 2026. This summary is an editorial reference, not legal advice. Check the current official text and confirm the approach with building control before relying on it. Browse all 35 records.